Experiences with Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate, HoLEP, Laser Surgery

Wow, this is a great report. It has taken me a lot longer to get to the shield level.

Buster

I had been researching HoLEP for over a year and through this website decided to use Dr. Krembeck. I asked my PCP about HoLEP, but she did not know anything about it. So, I simply called Dr. Krembeck’s office and made an appointment. After talking with her, she did a digital exam and simply stated that my prostate was definitely enlarged. Sorry, I do not have an exact size, but I am guessing it was one to two times the normal size. Not nearly are large as some of those posting. I told her I wanted the procedure and she then explained the procedure and what to expect both long term, and what the recovery would be like i.e. burning, blood in the urine, and leakage. We scheduled the surgery; I had the lab test done and the next time I saw her was just before the surgery. I am 73 years old. My symptoms pre-surgeries were: up 6 – 8 times a night to urinate; urinating with great urgency, then urinating again 30 minutes later; and occasionally dribbling after urinating. I never really counted how many time in a day I used the restroom, but was always mindful of where the closest bathroom was located.

It sounds like you have had a good recovery. I am 4 and a half months post surgery. I am on shields. It sounds like you are quite active. I didn’t start the fitness center workouts until a month after the surgery. I am working out now with a new emphasis on cardio. Has the golfing been difficult?

HI--I'm looking for help for my 87 year old dad. Can you please tell me who you used? I am in the area. Are you still happy with your outcome? Thank you.

Hi LauraNY. Both Steve and I used Dr Akhil Das from Jefferson Hospital in Philly (I traveled from DC to use him). He's a great Dr with a great manner who has literally done thousands of HoLEPs. I am 6 months out from surgery and pee like a fire hose :) I still have some slight incontinence (which continues to slowly improve) due to the very large size and length of my prostate, but all in all, am very glad I got the procedure. If you have any other questions, I'll be glad to try and help. Good luck to you and your father.

Hello I'm looking for help for my 87 year old dad who has some of the issues you mentions Atrial Fib, high BP and sleep apnea. Did you have HOLEP done? How are you now? Can anyone recommend a HOLEP doctor in NY area? Thanks so much.

HI Steve,
I'm looking for help for my dad. Do you recommend Dr. Das and can you tell me how tough the operation was? My dad is almost 87 and we're afraid he wouldn't be able to have a difficult operation. The only other option is suprapubic.

Thank you so much! I made an appt. for July 3. My dad had a stroke from anesthesia when he went in for a different surgery 12 years ago. So of course now we are terrified for him to have anesthesia again. Can you tell me how hard the procedure/recovery was for you?

I have head that the surgery can be done using a spinal. Check it out if you think in might be easier on him.

Hi cara cara. I can understand your apprehension regarding the anesthesia. You'll certainly want to discuss that with Dr Das. He is very thorough and experienced so I am sure he'll steer you in the right direction. Overall, the recovery was not bad at all, that is one of the big advantages of HoLEP (much shorter recovery time). Dr Das is a stickler however for keeping the catheter in a while longer to make sure everything s OK. I was in the hospital overnight while they steadily flushed my bladder with saline, and was only permitted to leave once it looked OK. Then I kept the catheter in for 2 more days out of the hospital and had it removed in his office, and was only permitted to leave once I was able to void successfully and Dr Das was happy with the appearance of my urine. After that it was some blood for a few months and steadily improving incontinence (pants for the first few weeks, then shields). Pain was mild for the first week or 2, then dissipated rapidly after that. Now I am 62. With your father's advanced age, please be sure to discuss all these concerns thoroughly with Dr Das. I am sure he will take them all into consideration and advise you correctly. He really is a great and quite caring doctor IMHO. Hope this is helpful. All the best! Please keep us informed.

For your info about having the operation at an advanced age,I had the HoLEP a year and half ago when I was 79, under anesthesia and it all went well. Like most men, I had blood in the urine for a week or two and had to wear incontinence pads for a few months.
Now I have no problem or pain with urination but do still occasionally have slight urine incontinence.
My life is much better than before the operation when I had bouts of being unable to pee and had to go to the ER for a catheter. Those were very painful times.
It's true that I am generally in good health and have never had problems with being under anesthesia.
You would need to discuss your Dad's situation thoroughly with the surgeon to determine if the operation is safe for him. Best wishes to you and your Dad

Hi, I'm a new member and I've just spent the last several hours reading all of your comments.  They are very informative and I thank you all.  I am 67 years old and have had BPH for 10-15 years.  My symptoms are bothersome but not terrible;  I have frequency... pee  about every 2-3 hours (up 2-4 times at night); I rarely have urgency.  My volume of urine which I measure many times is almost never over 150 cc (I feel I need to go at that amount)...once in a while I can get to 225 cc.  I usually don't have much trouble starting (it used to be worse but now I push on my abdomen a few times and it really helps.  My stream is fair and I do dribble a bit towards the end and sometimes stop and start.  My urologist has done a post void ultrasound quite a few times and I have little residual (<40 cc).  My "BPH score" is 15-19 ...in the high moderate range.                                                                                 My brother had HoLEP about 3 months ago due to BPH with acute obstruction and the need to catheterize for several months...he has had wonderful success!  I'm now strongly considering HoLEP and my main question to you guys is Am I being too aggresive;  from what I have read the vast majority of you did it when symptoms got really bad and you had severe retention and/or needed catheterization.  I would love hear from some who got it done because they didn't want to wait until it got that bad.  I'm sort of wanting to due it based on the vast majority of good experiences I've read here but maybe I'm jumping the gun based on my brother's success.                                                       I also forgot to mention I've been on terazosin for about 10 years and was briefly on finasteride a few years ago but stopped due to ED effects.  I would really appreciate any advice.

Thanks, Dan in PA

 

 

 

I would say go for it now. Don’t wait till the worst hits you. I’m 77 and had holep 6 months ago, wore diapers for about 2 months then pads for about 21/2 months and now finally free. Lol. The recovery is quick and everyone is different with the diapers and pads but in the end you will be glad you did.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Don.1

Hi Dan,

This is such a personal choice. When I was 59 I chose to have a microwave treatment since there was little or no chances of long term side effects. It bought me an additional 14 years. Medicine is changing at lightning speed. Google BPH treatments, There are many different treatments.